Children & Sleep Apnea – The Signs and Symptoms

Did you know that kids can be affected by sleep disorders just like adults? In fact, approximately 5% of children have sleep apnea. Although the signs and symptoms of this condition may be harder to pin down in children, it is true that parents should consider this sleep disorder as the potential underlying factor in many behavioral health issues that kids experience. Learn more about sleep apnea in children and what your dentist can do about if from the team at Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine.

What Are The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea In Kids?

Children with this sleep disorder often present with the following symptoms:

• ADHD and hyperactivity
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble in school and learning information
• Poor performance in school, academically or behaviorally
• Snoring
• Gasping, pausing, or snorting when breathing while asleep
• Waking up with asthma attacks
• Morning headaches
• Waking up multiple times throughout the night to use the restroom
• Sleeping in odd positions
• Being difficult to wake up
• Irritable, cranky, or aggressive behavior
• Falling asleep when it’s not naptime or bedtime
• Speaking with a nasal-sounding voice
• Bedwetting
• Drooling
• Generally restless sleep
• Breathing through the mouth while awake

While hyperactivity and behavior issues are common childhood conditions, it is important for parents to consider the strong, definite connection between Sleep Disordered Breathing (SBD) in kids and ADD/ADHD that many healthcare professionals may overlook. If these symptoms sound like your son or daughter, talk with Dr. Romack about your child’s sleep health and how it may be impacting them.

What Are The Risk Factors For Sleep Apnea In Kids?

Generally, children are affected by obstructive sleep apnea. In this condition, the tongue and lower jaw can relax and slide against the back of the throat, blocking their airways and preventing them from breathing correctly while asleep. Kids can be at risk for sleep apnea for many reasons, including:

• Family history of sleep apnea and snoring
• Being overweight
• Medical conditions like Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy
• Structural defects in the jaw, throat, or airway
• Having a large tongue or neck

How Can You Treat My Child’s Sleep Apnea?

Our team can help your child get back to sleeping like a baby with the following options:

• Screening – By providing testing for sleep apnea that you can trust, we can find the underlying cause for your child’s systemic health problems.
• Custom Oral Appliance Therapy (COAT) – Worn only while sleeping, these comfortable, custom devices help shift your child’s lower jaw out of the way to allow them to rest properly.
• CPAP Augmentation – If your child is prescribed a sleep machine but can’t tolerate the air pressure or is still struggling to sleep well, COAT can be used with this treatment to increase the effectiveness of CPAP.
• Surgical Options – With a professional exam, Dr. Romack will be able to suggest the removal of the tonsils or adenoids, which can impact 70-80% of kids with sleep apnea. By giving you a clear answer and referring you to a specialist, we can help improve your child’s health.
• Lifestyle Management – We can provide tips on a healthy lifestyle with nutritious foods and physical activities that can help your child deal with weight issues that could be contributing to their sleep disorder.

Now that you know what sleep apnea symptoms to look for in your children, schedule your appointment with Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine to give your child the restful sleep they deserve!